Transferring into the College of Arts and Sciences
Penn's College of Arts and Sciences provides an education that will lay a durable foundation for critical and creative thinking for one's entire life. The College's goal is to help students to become knowledgeable about the world and the complexities of today's society, aware of moral, ethical, and social issues, prepared to exercise intellectual leadership, and enlivened by the use of their minds.
Requirements
Students normally take four or five courses per semester. The total number of course units required to complete a major varies from major to major but is never less than twelve. In addition to the major, a student must normally complete twenty electives. The total number of course units needed for graduation, therefore, varies between thirty-two and thirty-six depending upon the number required in the major and electives. No student is required to complete more than thirty-six course units for graduation. Students may take additional courses if they wish, and many do.
Major Restrictions
The individualized major is available only to students transferring into their sophomore year, and whose proposed course of study is approved before their junior year.
Prospective transfer students applying to study the natural sciences or economics should have adequate preparation in college-level calculus in order to be successful in these courses.
Prospective Communication majors should note that some prerequisites for that major are required before being admitted to the program, and that admission to the University does not guarantee admission to the major.
All students should consult the web pages of specific majors to apprise themselves of prerequisites and course requirements before applying to the College of Arts and Sciences.
For more details, please explore the College of Arts and Sciences website.
